About the Complex

Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge is managed as one of six refuges in the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, refuge manager, biological, visitor services, and maintenance professionals, are generally, but not always, centrally located and support all refuges within the complex.

The Washington Maritime Complex is headquartered in Sequim, WA. The other refuges in the Complex include Flattery Rocks NWR, Copalis NWR, San Juan Islands NWR, Dungeness NWR, and Protection Island NWR.